Martz says Bears still in market for OL help

August 02, 2011|By Brad Biggs | Tribune reporter

BOURBONNAIS -- Maybe last year’s veteran quarterback will become this year’s veteran lineman.

Although general manager Jerry Angelo intimated Saturday that the Chicago Bears were done searching for offensive linemen after agreeing to terms with center Chris Spencer on a two-year contract, offensive coordinator Mike Martz made it clear Tuesday he’s very much in the market for more veteran depth on the line.

Of course, Martz lobbied for a veteran backup to Jay Cutler last season and finally got Todd Collins after Caleb Hanie went down in the preseason opener with a minor shoulder injury. Maybe Martz will get his way again, and it’s believed the Bears are at least poking around to see what players could potentially be available. However, the idea of the team finding a starter for the group at this point seems remote, at best.

“I think we would all like to have a couple more veteran linemen,” Martz said during his first news conference since before the NFC Championship Game. “I don’t think that’s any different than any camp right now. I don’t know if you can ever have enough offensive linemen, quality veteran offensive linemen to do just what you’re talking about to challenge and push guys and make them better, but that’s the case throughout the league I think.”

Martz said he has a better feel for the line now than he did a year ago at this time, and said rookie first-round pick Gabe Carimi has a chance to start at right tackle. The one thing that stood out most in his analysis of the line was his support of Roberto Garza, who he credited with dramatically improving the line last season.

Some other highlights:

Martz praised quarterback Jay Cutler for making significant improvements in his game during the offseason without the aid of coaching:

“Technically, his footwork and his drops I was kind of stunned. He’s done an awful lot of work on his own in the offseason. I was kind of giddy to be honest with you because watching him drop right now is textbook, and I didn’t know how we were going to get him there, but he got there by himself before he came to camp and I couldn’t be more happy with that.

“Coaches feel like if they’re not there that these guys aren’t going to train right and practice right and do all those things, but you know in today’s age with all the video equipment and the game tapes and they’ve heard this enough where they go back and analyze themselves. However he did it, I don’t know how he did it, but I’m amazed at the progress that he made while he was away from us.”

Martz on the addition of wide receiver Roy Williams:

“I just know how competitive and tough Roy is. Roy excels when you put it on his plate and say OK, we’ve got to win this game here on this play. He’s that kind of elite player, quality player, and he’s the best in those circumstances and he’s a physical guy, he makes plays after the catch, he’s got incredible hands, knows the system, which in this short preseason is really important. I could go on and on about Roy. You know how I feel about Roy.”

On the trade of Greg Olsen and his fit in the scheme:

“I love Greg and what he brought to us, we didn’t use him enough, I know that, but circumstances were just what it was. We were trying to get halfway through the season and still trying to figure out the offense. We had to use him in the running game as a blocker, as a running back, lead blocker, in pass protections to help. It was not fair to him, but we were trying to do all we could to win games. We know that he was capable of so much more and (were) excited about him. But that’s where it is. He’s got a great deal of money to go play for a real good team, and he’s a great guy, a terrific football player. I’m sure he’ll do very well.”